The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM)

This chapter explores the history of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) and their roles in state and local weights and measures regulation. NIST, formerly the National Bureau of Standards (1901), hosted annual conferences of state sealers of weights and measures, which evolved to become the National Conference of Weights and Measures. Together, they developed model laws and regulations that were subsequently adopted by the 50 states and U.S. territories. The principal purpose was to seek uniformity of weights and measures laws, inspection procedures and inspector training.